North of Normal

This passage really speaks to me.  It’s the central theme of our “Mosaic” series.  Jesus learns that his friend, Lazarus, is about to die.  The urgency of the news doesn’t seem to create an urgency in his response.  By the time he arrives Lazarus is dead.  It seems to late.

How many times in life do our circumstances scream to us that God messed up.  If he would have just been there, if he would have cared more, if he would have just been God (our idea of God who never misses an opportunity to rescue us from pain or difficulty).  The reality is that God is still God even if he’s a few days late.

There are so many life-applications in this passage.  In this one chapter we find the shortest verse in the Bible, we see Jesus moved with compassion, we learn that he raises a man from the dead… but there’s more.  Have you ever stopped to notice these verses and looked deeper?

When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.  Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.” John 11:43-44 (NIV)

Jesus brings Lazarus back to life, but who sets him free?  Scripture continually paints a picture that God desires to use us in people’s lives.  Jesus brings people to life, but he uses people to “take off the grave clothes and let them go” (or set them free).

How many people have met Christ - been changed from death to life, but are still standing at the edge of the grave never having moved or taken any more steps of faith… missing the Christ-life that Jesus longs for us to have.  Perhaps you’ve met Christ, and he’s changed your eternity, but do you have meaningful relationships with others who love Christ who will help you move from the bondage of what was to growing in Christ.

We have the opportunity to be “next level influencers” (I know “influencers is not a word, but I’m from Texas… who do you think creates new words…) in peoples lives.  To remove the cloth from their face so they can learn to see by faith, to remove the strips of linen from their legs so they can take their next steps of growth, and to unwrap their hands so they can become who they were created to become.

The successes or failures of this year will not be determined by our desire or intentions, they will be created by one thing… influence.  You and I will chose what influences us this year.  Let’s chose some N.L.I. - people love Jesus and really love us to be in our lives to help us get to the next level.

C3 - I’m proud of you.  As we launch our CG’s you’ve chosen.  Overwhelmingly today you made the choice to be a part of something greater - to live life on purpose and chose influencers that will encourage you and spur you on.  This will be your greatest year.  Rather than adapting to a mediocre life, you’ve made the choice to be involved in creating something better.

Tomorrow, I’m going to post something that I’ve learned in the last couple years.  Something that might just blow your mind.

Peace out.